Botswana has taken a significant step toward building a dynamic, innovation-driven future with the official launch of the inaugural cohort of the BIUST Student Entrepreneurship Fellowship Programme. Delivering the keynote address, Ms. Nomakgosi Mookodi, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, described the occasion as a milestone in the nation’s commitment to empowering young people not only as learners, but as creators of new opportunities, industries, and employment. She noted that the launch celebrated not only the 16 outstanding students selected for the fellowship but also the shared vision of government, academia, and global partners to build an environment where innovation can flourish.
Ms. Mookodi highlighted the important collaboration between the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) and the MIT Kuo-Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, whose mentorship and global exposure will enhance the capacity of Botswana’s young innovators. She also commended the leadership of BIUST Vice Chancellor, Professor Otlogetswe Totolo, whose commitment to integrating entrepreneurship into the institution’s core mission made the fellowship possible and aligned it with the country’s development priorities.
She emphasised that the BIUST Student Entrepreneurship Fellowship Programme aligns with national policies on youth empowerment and innovation. Over the next year, the fellows will gain hands-on experience in venture building, leadership development, mentorship, and market access, skills that are essential for establishing enterprises that drive diversification and job creation.
Ms. Mookodi noted that the launch comes at a transformative moment, as the Government of Botswana strengthens the policy and trade environment for start-ups and SMEs. She underscored the bold economic direction set under the leadership of His Excellency President Duma Boko, centred on the Economic Transformation Plan (ETP), which aims to accelerate industrialisation, attract investment, and create inclusive economic opportunities. Through the ETP Labs, government is engaging the private sector, academia, and development partners to design practical, measurable solutions to long-standing economic challenges and to unlock the country’s potential.
She explained that the ETP focuses on high-impact sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, energy, digital transformation, and infrastructure. In agriculture, the goal is to increase its contribution to GDP from 2% to 6%, transitioning Botswana from a net food importer to a competitive producer. In manufacturing, government is supporting local enterprises to move into higher-value production and export finished goods. Regulatory reforms, simplified processes, and improved access to finance are being implemented to make it easier for entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses.
As Ms. Mookodi outlined, the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship plays a central role in creating an enabling business environment, attracting investment, and ensuring that citizens are meaningful participants in economic growth. Agencies including the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA), and Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) work together to provide financial support, mentorship, market links, and capacity development. Participation in regional and continental frameworks such as SADC, SACU, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opens pathways for young entrepreneurs to scale their businesses beyond Botswana’s borders.
The growing strength of Botswana’s innovation ecosystem was also highlighted by Ms. Mookodi, who praised BIUST for its central role in this progress. She referenced the recent MIT Kuo Sharper Center Early-Stage Program Demo Day at the Botswana Digital and Innovation Hub, where young innovators showcased practical solutions in agriculture, mining, climate resilience, health, and digital services. She noted that their creativity and problem-solving skills reflect the immense potential of Botswana’s youth.
The BIUST Student Entrepreneurship Fellowship Programme builds on this momentum by bridging academic learning with practical entrepreneurship. The inaugural cohort is expected to contribute significantly to national development by launching ventures that create jobs, bring new technologies to market, and strengthen key sectors. Ms. Mookodi described the launch as a clear demonstration of Botswana’s commitment to investing in human capital and supporting youth-led enterprises.
She reiterated government’s firm commitment to youth entrepreneurship, supported through instruments such as the Youth Development Fund (YDF) and CEDA’s Young Entrepreneurs Fund, which provide essential seed capital and growth financing. Incubation hubs, innovation challenges, and mentorship platforms further equip young entrepreneurs with the networks and skills needed to succeed regionally and globally. She noted that nurturing youth entrepreneurship is not only about business creation, but about cultivating a generation of critical thinkers, innovators, and global competitors.
Addressing the fellows directly, Ms. Mookodi emphasised that they are pioneers whose ideas and ventures will help shape Botswana’s innovation economy. She encouraged them to embrace the learning opportunities ahead and to contribute to national development through their creativity and enterprise. She also acknowledged the Ministry of Higher Education for its role in nurturing talent and supporting research and innovation, and commended BIUST for its forward-looking approach in integrating entrepreneurship into its academic programmes.
Ms. Mookodi concluded by affirming that Botswana’s transformation story is being written by its people—by young innovators, women entrepreneurs, and forward-thinking institutions working in partnership with government and global collaborators such as MIT Kuo Sharper. She expressed confidence that through these combined efforts, Botswana will continue to advance toward a future defined by innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive prosperity.